Feeling the Rhythm

We're finally starting to feel a routine forming during the day and it makes things go a lot more smoothly. In the morning we have breakfast and scripture study (2-3 min long and a captive audience with their mouths already full--works well for us). Then everyone does chores and we go to the park when they are done. Usually Ethan finishes in 5 minutes, most of the time without me reminding him to do anything, and an hour later (after my chores are done), Ethan, Jenna and I wait in the car while Sean finally decides he actually CAN do his chores and quickly finishes them up.

While at the park, I study for my BYU class for about an hour, the kids get nice and tired and we head home for lunch. After lunch, Jenna naps and then the real fun begins. We do a math and reading activity Monday through Thursday, and alternate between science and social studies during those days as well. We also do "binders" where I tear worksheets out of our various workbooks that coincide with whatever we're working on. Mostly handwriting and math pages. They stick each page into a sheet protector and use dry erase markers (I have at least three more kids that have to do this same stuff eventually!), which I think also makes it more fun.

Fridays are our fun days. We do an art project and last week we started piano lessons. I fill their binders with activities like dot-to-dots and cut out art projects, and I've been trying to get out and do a field trip. Our monthly homeschooling parties are also scheduled on Fridays, which are not to be missed for anything.

I'm beginning to appreciate the principle of "line upon line." If I looked at what I do now a year ago, I think I would have fainted. But we started with just one thing, and once I had that thing down, another something occurred to me that we should incorporate. I can see later how when I try to keep life in line with the spirit, I am prompted at just the right time to add another thing. It's really an amazing principle, and I have become more tolerant of others as I have seen it work in my life. We are all at different stages, and the spirit propels us forward at just the right pace if we are trying to stay close to Christ. It also gives me comfort that when the time comes for me to have several kids homeschooling at different levels, I will be ready for it then. Not now, but then.